My go to Italian is usually Carpaccio's in Menlo Park.http://www.carpaccios.com/Excellent polenta, lasagne and spaghetti and polpettes (meatballs).Also a nice wine list and martini's served club style.

Rib-eye at John Bentley's in Redwood City. It used to be a special but it must have been so popular that they put it on the menu. I've eaten at supposedly good/great steak places including Ruth's Chris, Capital Grille, & Taste of Texas and this is still the one to beat (grilled to perfection:-). They also have yummy crispy sweetbreads.